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BMW's 2014 DTM Contender - Introducing the new BMW M4 DTM car

2014 will mark BMW's third season back in DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) racing. BMW incredibly won in their return season in 2012 and took the constructor's championship last season (although Audi's Mike Rockenfeller took the driver championship). Will BMW be able to win a third straight constructor's championship? If they do the new BMW M4 DTM car will have to be at the top of its game as Audi and Mercedes are not playing around.

Now this car has basically nothing in common with the street F82 M4 other than the model name. Which makes you wonder why BMW is BS'ing like this: "The production version of the BMW M4 Coupé provided BMW Motorsport with a perfect basis for developing the DTM racing car. Hardly surprising, given the fact that the primary goal of the BMW M GmbH engineers working on the BMW M4 Coupé was to create a robust car suitable for use on the racetrack."

DTM is basically German Nascar where the manufacturers all have basically the same motor, chassis, restrictions, etc. In theory it should make for a level playing field. That said professional racing is never a level playing field as every team jockeys for even the slightest advantage possible within the rules.

The new car gets aerodynamic and suspension changes. It weighs in a lightweight 2425 pounds including the driver. Obviously this is nothing like the 3300 pound street car which BMW now finally admits the 3300 pound weight figure for the M4 is without fluids.

The engine is the BMW P66 4.0 liter V8 with a 90 degree angle and four valves per cylinder. Again, this has absolutely nothing to do with the M4 street car or even the previous generation M3 S65 V8. Output is estimated at 480 horsepower but it is fitted with air restrictors to reduce output. Only 10 engines are permitted over the course of the season for all 8 BMW's racing meaning this motor needs to last the season. BMW has not encountered any durability issues with the P66 in the previous seasons so no reason why this should change this year.

The engine sends its power to a 6-speed sequential manual gearbox. BMW has 11 final drive ratios to choose from depending on the circuit they are racing on.

Despite BMW's marketing fluff attempting to tie this DTM car to the street car the vehicle really just gets different skin with some suspension and aerodynamic tweaks for 2014. It is still pretty much the same car. The M4 has nothing to do with it and it is just kind of stupid for BMW to claim the street car has anything to do with this race car. It pretty much insults everyone's intelligence.

Regardless, here's to the 2014 DTM season. The series is more hotly contested than ever which should make for some excellent racing.

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.

We are presenting the BMW M4 DTM for the 2014 season.

BMW Motorsport engineers started to look ahead to 2014 and began working on the development of the new BMW M4 DTM well before the start of the 2013 DTM season. The production version of the BMW M4 Coupé provided BMW Motorsport with a perfect basis for developing the DTM racing car.

Development

The first model made its first appearance in the wind tunnel at the BMW Group’s Aero Lab on 22nd April – 13 days before the opening race of the 2013 season in Hockenheim. In the summer of 2013, while continuing with aerodynamic testing, the experts in Munich turned their attention to designing new suspension parts. The new components made their first on-track outing in December 2013 – but still within the BMW M3 DTM at that point. The final parts for the chassis of the BMW M4 DTM were in production by the turn of the year, allowing the BMW teams to assemble the first models of the new car in January and February. Three hundred days after the first test in the wind tunnel, the BMW M4 DTM took to the track for its track debut in Monteblanco on 11th February 2014.

The production version of the BMW M4 Coupé provided BMW Motorsport with a perfect basis for developing the DTM racing car. Hardly surprising, given the fact that the primary goal of the BMW M GmbH engineers working on the BMW M4 Coupé was to create a robust car suitable for use on the racetrack. Among those to make valuable contributions towards achieving this goal were DTM drivers Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock, who took part in tuning tests at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. “I am proud to have played my part in the fine-tuning,” said Spengler. “The chassis of the BMW M4 Coupé is very sporty. The feedback from the front axle is extremely direct, and the grip on the rear axle is phenomenal. This car is the ideal basis for our car in the DTM.”

Production

The last BMW M car to roll off the assembly line at the main BMW Plant in Munich did so back in 1991. After that, production shifted to BMW Plant Regensburg. Almost 23 years later, the assembly process returned to the main factory – and just a few metres away BMW Motorsport engineers were hard at work tinkering with the racing version of the new car. However, the BMW Plants in Regensburg and Dingolfing were also involved in the development of the BMW M4 DTM. Among other things, the kilometre-long test tracks at the modern production facilities were used for aerodynamic tests. Throughout the development phase, the 2014 DTM car was to be seen at what is otherwise the venue for the exhaustive quality control checks performed on all BMW M cars.

Design

The BMW M4 Coupé and the BMW M4 DTM lie low and flat on the tarmac. Even when stationary, the design’s powerful contours underline the performance of the two brothers. Characteristic design elements, such as the modern take on the twin headlight arrangement and distinctive twin-bar kidney grille, ensure that the car clearly stands out as a BMW M vehicle. The power dome on the bonnet is equally striking. The side of the car extends the dynamic impression created by the front end. The proportions typical of the BMW M4 Coupé, such as the long bonnet, long wheel base, set-back greenhouse and a short front overhang, formed the basis for the low and aerodynamic silhouette of the BMW M4 DTM.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics plays a vital role in the DTM. For this reason, the BMW Motorsport engineers devoted a lot of time to issues such as aerodynamic drag and air flow. As on the production model, the air curtains at the front of the BMW M4 DTM are designed to reduce air drag. Narrowing air ducts accelerate the airstream flowing through the front skirt, guide it systematically past the wheels, and reduce turbulence around the wheel arches. Another new feature on the BMW M4 DTM is a plate along the side channel, which lends the racing car an even more striking outline. The eye-catching contoured roofline decreases the front surface area of the BMW M4 DTM and further reduces aerodynamic drag. The flatter rear window optimises the way the airflow approaches the rear wing. The striking wing mirrors, with their twin-stalk mounts, are already a striking feature of the production model, and the mirrors on the BMW M4 DTM have also been aerodynamically optimised for the racetrack to ensure they aid efficient airflow towards the rear of the car.

Lightweight construction

The BMW M4 Coupé itself is a prime example of intelligent, lightweight construction. The high-performance sports car weighs just 1,497 kilograms when empty – that is a whole 80 kilograms less than its predecessor. This reduction of weight has a positive effect on the driving dynamics and consumption. This has been made possible by the extensive use of lightweight materials, such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic and aluminium. The use of carbon is also widespread in motor racing. Virtually the entire body of the BMW M4 DTM is made of this ultra-light and durable material. The weight reduction and consequent lowering of the centre of gravity are key to the car’s performance on the racetrack. The weight of the BMW M4 DTM, with driver, is 1,110 kilograms.

Safety

Like the BMW M4 Coupé, the racing version also meets the highest safety standards. Over 50 of the 5,000 plus parts that make up the BMW M4 DTM are standard components, which are used in all DTM cars. One of these is the carbon fibre monocoque, which sets the benchmark in terms of safety in motorsport. With an integrated tank, steel roll cage and additional crash elements, it offers the driver effective protection in case of a crash. Parts like the gearbox, clutch, dampers and rear wing are identical in all DTM cars. This also keeps a lid on development costs.

Engine

The BMW P66 engine in the BMW M4 DTM generates approx. 480 bhp with the air restrictor specified in the technical regulations. It is made up of 800 different components, consisting of 3,900 individual parts. When designing the DTM drivetrain, BMW Motorsport took full advantage of the technological know-how within the BMW Group. The high-tech foundry connected to BMW Plant Landshut accounts for the large cast parts, such as the cylinder head and crankcase – just as it does in the production of the six-cylinder in-line engine for the BMW M4 Coupé. The cast parts are coated and given the necessary heat treatment within the appropriate departments in Munich. The BMW V8 for the DTM is both a sprinter and a marathon runner. It allows the BMW M4 DTM to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/ in about three seconds. Only ten engines are permitted for all eight BMWs over the course of the entire season. Therefore, reliability is a prerequisite to success.

The engine’s power is transferred via a sequential six-speed sport gearbox, which is operated pneumatically using shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. The gearbox is one of the standard components, which are used by all the DTM manufacturers. It has 11 final drive ratios, which allow the engineers and drivers to react to the respective circuit and engine characteristics when setting the car up.

Steering wheel

Additional status displays and a customised layout of the controls make the steering wheel in the new BMW M4 DTM even more comfortable for the drivers to use. The individual buttons can be allocated as the driver desires. As with the racing car, the gears on the BMW M4 Coupé can also be changed using shift paddles on the steering wheel, depending upon the configuration.

Lights

Drivers of both the BMW M4 DTM and the BMW M4 Coupé can rely on the performance of modern LED headlamps. Light emitting diodes do more than simply save energy. Thanks to the significantly shorter reaction time compared to conventional filament lamps, the driver behind is given more notice when a driver in front of him is braking. And every fraction of a second counts on the racetrack. The light generated by LEDs is also very similar to sunlight, making it particularly easy on the eye.

This is the 2014 BMW M4 DTM car.
It has a 4000cc V8 with 480hp, and 500Nm of torque
This car is made mostly out of a Carbon Fibre body shell and Aluminium pieces, which makes a total starting weight of 1110 kg without driver.

The first race of the season is May 4th in Hockenheim.
It really looks amazing.

Now this car has basically nothing in common with the street F82 M4 other than the model name. Which makes you wonder why BMW is BS'ing like this: "The production version of the BMW M4 Coupé provided BMW Motorsport with a perfect basis for developing the DTM racing car. Hardly surprising, given the fact that the primary goal of the BMW M GmbH engineers working on the BMW M4 Coupé was to create a robust car suitable for use on the racetrack."

The sad part is, how uninformed most BMW owners are. They will actually think the DTM car is an M4.

DTM uses the bodyshell of rhe production car, the rest is built around that making the rest of the car a silhouet car. Just like NASCAR

The body shell of production car isn't used. The car is built off a shared carbon fiber monocoque chassis. The entire body aero is one-off carbon fiber pieces. Maybe the kidney grills are stock, I even doubt that.

Nascar has zero to do with any road going car. They are tube chassis with hand formed sheet metal panels. Templates are used to make the cars almost the same exact shape.

Re "Thanks to the significantly shorter reaction time compared to conventional filament lamps, the driver behind is given more notice when a driver in front of him is braking. And every fraction of a second counts on the racetrack."

Surprised they didn't just have the word "stop" written on the bodywork and slow reacting LCD revealing the word on braking. Sheesh, they spun the advantage LED brake lights give to the opposition ( if there is such an advantage, I don't a race driver relies upon their opposition breaking )